Abstract This oral history focuses on People of the Golden Vision’s treasurer and founding member Cindy Lobach as she reflects on the role of the paper sculptures in the Golden Venture detainees’ eventual release. She discusses how the sculptures have ended up in many unexpected places, which speaks to their lasting cultural impact. Lobach reflects on how the detainment of the Golden Venture refugees and their beautiful artwork changed their supporters and the people of York. She also discusses how...

Abstract This oral history focusses on New York Law School Professor Claire Thomas and Mobilization for Justice staff attorney Ernie Collette, as they discuss their thoughts on the impact that the Golden Venture had on U.S. law, particularly on the 1996 Immigration Act that was enacted while the Golden Venture refugees were being detained, and the immigration and public benefits laws that followed. Thomas and Collette provide a broader overview of U.S. immigration law and the immigrant detention...

Abstract Elizabeth OuYang is a Chinese American attorney who has advocated for immigrant and Asian American civil rights for more than three decades. At the time of the Golden Venture, OuYang was a staff attorney at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) tasked with advancing voting rights and prosecuting hate crimes, and in this capacity, she assisted with interviewing Golden Venture Chinese who were detained at the Varick Street detention center. In addition to this work,...

Abstract Fernando Chang-Muy has had a long career in immigrant and refugee legal advocacy, including as staff attorney and Director of the Southeast Asian Refugee Project at Community Legal Services in Philadelphia, and as Legal Officer for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). He currently teaches Refugee Law and Policy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, and Social Work and Immigration in its Graduate School of Social Policy and Practice. At the time of the Golden Venture, he...

Abstract This oral history focuses on Jeff Lobach, who was the President of the Pennsylvania Bar Association at the time of the Golden Venture. He organized the lawyers who were trained for the purpose of defending the detainees of the Golden Venture. He speaks to his experience as a lawyer at the time, and how he faced frustrating rulings and resistance from the Justice Department. He worked to spread awareness about the Golden Venture at the time and discusses the significance of art and the...

Abstract This oral history focuses on Mary Studzinski, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center (PIRC) in York County, Pennsylvania. Mary discusses the history and role of PIRC in serving immigrants in detention, which began in response to the Golden Venture. The organization’s operations include educating immigrants about their legal options and guiding them through the asylum application process. She also discusses how circumstances have changed for immigrants under...